Dec 7, 2012, 7:35 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Load Factor Based Upgrades (LFBU) and Day Of Departure Upgrades (DODU)
These generally relate to Non-elite, space-available, kiosk, online and counter upgrades which may be available close to departure if there is unused (after sales and pending upgrades) inventory once the flight has passed to airport control; these are available for payment (normally, credit card).
• On line check in offers may be made at the time of check-in, including with the AA app.
• Kiosk-based LFBUs may be offered at the Self-Service (Check-in) Machines ("kiosk") (and occasionally with online check-in) if there are seats available - as per the AA wording and the FAQ (see first post). One may be offered a LFBU on an award ticket.
• Counter Upgrades may be offered at the ticket counter or Admirals Club in the USA or at non-stateside locations on occasion, usually announced by a small sign visible to passengers checking in at the ticket counter or Club. They may be offered (or not) and may cost as much as $750 (or more) for a longhaul transocean flight.
As per other upgrades, one earns miles / points at the level of the originally purchased fare.
Older posts have been archived here.
These generally relate to Non-elite, space-available, kiosk, online and counter upgrades which may be available close to departure if there is unused (after sales and pending upgrades) inventory once the flight has passed to airport control; these are available for payment (normally, credit card).
• On line check in offers may be made at the time of check-in, including with the AA app.
• Kiosk-based LFBUs may be offered at the Self-Service (Check-in) Machines ("kiosk") (and occasionally with online check-in) if there are seats available - as per the AA wording and the FAQ (see first post). One may be offered a LFBU on an award ticket.
• Counter Upgrades may be offered at the ticket counter or Admirals Club in the USA or at non-stateside locations on occasion, usually announced by a small sign visible to passengers checking in at the ticket counter or Club. They may be offered (or not) and may cost as much as $750 (or more) for a longhaul transocean flight.
As per other upgrades, one earns miles / points at the level of the originally purchased fare.
Older posts have been archived here.
DOD / DODU (LFBU) Space-available, counter, kiosk, and online upgrade (master thd)
Jan 30, 2019, 7:04 am
#362
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
Programs: DL SM, AAdvantage, SPG
Posts: 1,360
Yes, and this thread has more details and past offers we have received:
DOD / DODU (LFBU) Space-available, counter, kiosk, and online upgrade (master thd)
In my experience, the day of departure upgrades are offered on international flights even before any instrument upgrades clear at the gate. It seems AA wants to get some money for the seats.
DOD / DODU (LFBU) Space-available, counter, kiosk, and online upgrade (master thd)
In my experience, the day of departure upgrades are offered on international flights even before any instrument upgrades clear at the gate. It seems AA wants to get some money for the seats.
Jan 30, 2019, 7:26 am
#363
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
It can be offered online as well, and I don't believe necessarily if all upgrade requests have been filled, but more that that they will be able to be filled. They may not have been processed, but AA knows they're in the queue and won't sell the upgrades out from under them (like other airlines). This makes it more difficult to gauge whether a LFBU will be available by looking at the flight availability.
Jan 30, 2019, 10:39 am
#364
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FNT, but DTW if I can't help it
Programs: AAdvantage Former EXP/Current PLT / Total Rewards - Diamond / Hilton HHonors - Gold
Posts: 757
Yes, and this thread has more details and past offers we have received:
DOD / DODU (LFBU) Space-available, counter, kiosk, and online upgrade (master thd)
In my experience, the day of departure upgrades are offered on international flights even before any instrument upgrades clear at the gate. It seems AA wants to get some money for the seats.
DOD / DODU (LFBU) Space-available, counter, kiosk, and online upgrade (master thd)
In my experience, the day of departure upgrades are offered on international flights even before any instrument upgrades clear at the gate. It seems AA wants to get some money for the seats.
Jan 30, 2019, 10:45 am
#365
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SMF
Programs: AA EXP 4MM
Posts: 811
Did you get your upgrade?
Can confirm. Was traveling home from Europe with a non-status relative who had the same international segment but was continuing to a different destination. I had a Miles & Copay upgrade request in, and when we checked her in, she was offered a paid business class upgrade while I was still in coach.
Thanks.
Jan 30, 2019, 10:54 am
#366
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FNT, but DTW if I can't help it
Programs: AAdvantage Former EXP/Current PLT / Total Rewards - Diamond / Hilton HHonors - Gold
Posts: 757
I did, and she did not. We had 7 family members on that plane, so it evened out if I took the bullet of sitting in business as far as sitting-next-to-strangers goes.
Edit: I get the implication... I'm not implying AA tried to sell the upgrade out from under me... Just that they will sell paid upgrades before instruments clear.
Edit: I get the implication... I'm not implying AA tried to sell the upgrade out from under me... Just that they will sell paid upgrades before instruments clear.
Jan 30, 2019, 11:01 am
#367
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Jan 30, 2019, 11:03 am
#368
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
I know that these upgrades clear from the same C bucket other upgrades clear from because I see a reduction of C inventory on ExpertFlyer after buying a LFBU. I also know that if there's no C inventory on a flight, LFBU won't be offered, so it's best to wait to check in until you see C inventory. After you check in, if you call AA they won't be able to un-check you in and then the only way to get a LFBU is from a kiosk. I learned this the hard way.
Feb 27, 2019, 1:19 pm
#369
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 785
I know that these upgrades clear from the same C bucket other upgrades clear from because I see a reduction of C inventory on ExpertFlyer after buying a LFBU. I also know that if there's no C inventory on a flight, LFBU won't be offered, so it's best to wait to check in until you see C inventory. After you check in, if you call AA they won't be able to un-check you in and then the only way to get a LFBU is from a kiosk. I learned this the hard way.
Mar 19, 2019, 12:05 pm
#370
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MIA, VIE and DPS
Programs: DL Plat 1MM, AA EXP 3MM, SQ Krisflyer Gold, UA Silver, Marriott LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 1,132
Has anyone upgraded a mileage award using LFBU? there are 3 of us on a BA award ticket on AA 999 on the 23rd - space wise looks pretty open - but not sure if I should even go through the effort of looking for C before checking in
May 22, 2019, 11:14 am
#371
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt LT Global Elitist, Bonvyoed LT Titanium, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 479
Offered $280 for Y->PE LFBU on LHR-JFK; which is unfortunate as C was available at the time of checking and was hoping for a Y->C offer.
I declined.. not sure it's worth another $280 for PE on this route. I'm currently in 32C
I declined.. not sure it's worth another $280 for PE on this route. I'm currently in 32C
May 22, 2019, 1:27 pm
#372
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
A few questions.
Was the price really offered in USD and not GBP (or were both listed or were you converting)? Were the W (PE) seats otherwise blocked on the seating from your booking (no $, just checking)?
Did you qualify to purchase a C upgrade with miles (or was your fare not high enough)?
I am also thinking that if the system starts offering LFBU PE upgrades, it won't offer C upgrades anymore. I mean, this is for international flights anyway as I do not believe any AA elite is offered those domestically for any class.
Was the price really offered in USD and not GBP (or were both listed or were you converting)? Were the W (PE) seats otherwise blocked on the seating from your booking (no $, just checking)?
Did you qualify to purchase a C upgrade with miles (or was your fare not high enough)?
I am also thinking that if the system starts offering LFBU PE upgrades, it won't offer C upgrades anymore. I mean, this is for international flights anyway as I do not believe any AA elite is offered those domestically for any class.
May 22, 2019, 3:59 pm
#373
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt LT Global Elitist, Bonvyoed LT Titanium, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 479
I will say i did test the waters and removed the remaining PE seats out of inventory temporarily and it still did not offer me an upgrade to business. I think one cabin LFBUs are the way of the future.
Last edited by roder; May 22, 2019 at 4:07 pm
May 26, 2019, 11:17 pm
#375
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
No, there was an announcement that AA would promote paid upgrades more. What we don't know is if this will be mostly fare difference situations or special priced deals too.
Nothing new has started yet.
Nothing new has started yet.